Cash-register.



'PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

F. O. OSBORN.

CASH REGISTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, 11 1899.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

110,824,881. I PATENTED JULY 3, 1906. F. C. OSBORN.

CASH REGISTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.11 ,1899.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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- lu l No. 824,881. v PATENTED JULY 3, 1906. F. 0. OSBORN.

CASH REGISTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.11,1899.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNirnn sm es PATENT FFiiJiit' FRANCI-SC. OSBORN, OF DETROIT, MIOHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS. TO THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO. (INCORPORATED IN CASH-REGISTER.

.tatented July 3, 1906.

Application filed September 1, 1899. Serial No. 730,133.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS O. OSBORN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new'and useful Improvements in Cash-Registers, of which the following is a specification, refer ence being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the construction of a cash-register, and particularly in the construction of a recording device embracing a paper strip upon which the record is to be kept or made.

The invention consists particularly in the construction of the actuating and controlling devices for the paper strip and for its feed movement and in its combination with keys or actuating devices in the cash-register which actuate the strip.

The invention further consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of not intend to limit myself to its use with such a machine or even with such a type of machine. It will also 'be understood that the construction'of the cash-register itself is no part of-my present invention, except so far as it iscQmbined with and intended to operate or control the paper strip of the recording device. I

In the drawings, Figure .1 is a perspective view of acash-register, showing my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the end of the cash-register,

showing a view of the keys and the means for coupling the paper-feed devices by theoperation of those keys. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sec tion through the case containing the recording-strip, the section being upon line a: a: in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is avertical section on line y y, Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the clutch mechanism shown in Fig. 4, the parts being in difierent position.

length of eed of the paper strip, showing in Fig. 6 is an elevation of the settin mechanism for determiningthev full and dotted lines the different positions thereof. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation substantially on line 2 2, Fig. 4, to show the drive connection between the gear-segment and the feed-rollers for the paper strip. Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the cash-register, showing substantially its operating parts.

The cash-register to which I have shown my invention applied consists of a suitable casing A, the front of which has an opening which is covered by the cover B, this being, in effect, the cover of, the cashtill. This cover is secured to and turns a transverse shaft C, and in turning 'the cover, the tablets moved into indicating position and the registering is effected.

D re resents a series of keys which are.

'adapte to set out a foot E upon the sliding rods F, moving in guides in the rear of the machine, the foot E being moved out into the path of the universal bar G, which is raised each time the cover B is turned down through the lever system The rods F carry at their upper ends suitable tablets H, and they also carry suitable means for actuating the register-wheels H of .which there is one for each rod F. The rods are held in their elevated position by means of a universal bar J and are tripped upon the operation of any key of the series. This register thus comprises a series of keys, which set the indicating and registering mechanism, and a com 'mon register-actuating device operates the set parts. I do not deem a further description of the registering mechanism necessary,

for, as previously described, this is fully set forth in my previous patent referred to and is no part of my present invention. It is also evident without description that other forms of registers may be employed to per form the same function that the particular form of registering mechanism here performs, and I do not desire to be limited to such precise registering mechanism.

At the end of the cash register casing and preferably upon the same base is a recordercasing 2. The top of this recorder-casing is cut away, and beneath the cut-away portion is a table or plate 3, over which runs a paper strip 4 and preferably a paper strip 5. The strip iruns from aroll 6and runs between the feed-rolls? andS and above the divider-plate 9,while the paper strip 5 runs from a roll 10 over the plate 3 between the feed-rolls 7 and 8, and beneath the di vider-plate 9, being wound up upon a roll 11.

The shaft C is extended through the actuating devices of the recorder, and sleeved upon it is a suitable hub carrying a gear -segment 15. This gear-segment meshes with a pinion 16, loosely mounted on the shaft of one of the feed-rolls, and I have shown it as meshing with such a pinion loosely'mounted upon the shaft of the lower roller 8. The pinion 16 carries a pawl 16 which engages a ratchet-wheel 16, fast on the shaft C. (See Fig. 7.) By means of this ratchet connec* tion the feed-roller 8 is actuated to feed the paper when the segment 15 is lifted, and when the segment drops the ratchet-pawl rides idly-over its ratchet-wheel.

In the. operation of the cover B, which forms .the register-actuating device in this case, the shaft C will be timed or rocked; but the gear-segment will be rocked only when it is coupled to the shaft. This may be accomplished by various mechanism. I have shown it coupled by means of a clutch comprising the slidin collar 17, havin a feather engagement withthe shaft C. T is collar is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The collar is grooved and is ada ted to be moved longitudinally, by means 0 a cam 18, upon the arm 19, which is j ournaled on theside of the cashregister casing on the trunnions 20. In this case there is connected to this arm a universal bar 21, which extends across such keys as it is desired shall operate the clutch. Such keys as it is desi 'ned shall operate the clutch are provided with an arm 22, which upon the operation of the key will impinge against the universal bar 21 and rock it, causing the cam 18 to shift the collar 17 longitudinally and cause the lateral projections 23 on the collar' to engage corresponding recesses in the hub of the ear-segment, as shown in Fig. 3. 'When t us c'ou led, it is evident that the gear-segment wi 1 rock with the shaft C, and its movement will cause the feed-wheels 7 and 8 to be rotated. This will feed the aper stri s along, the upper strip bein fed out, sot at it may be torn off and the Fewer strip be wound up upon the roll 11. For in-- stance, supposing in a'machine whenever .a sale is to be charged it is desired to have a pa- ,per slip made showing what is charged and the price and also to keep a record thereof in the machine. In that event if the chargekey is adapted to operate the coupling mechanism the operator de resses the chargekey and then opens the lid or cover, havin previously written with a suitable penci upon the slip of paper the item and cost. The upper paper bearing the pencil memorandum would be fed out and would be torn off, while the under paper bearing a duplicate thereof b means of a carbon strip .25 between wil retain a permanent record in the effect the coupling mec ism, the paper would not be fed forward. The arm 19 is automatically returned to its initial position after each operation by gravity or by other means, such as a spring 77, Fig. '2. The roll 11 is not intended to be a feed-roll for the paper, but simply to take up the slack between it and the feed-rolls 7 and 8. I preferably drive it as follows: The roll 11 is in the nature of a sleeve u on the shaft 27 and ada ted to be frictional y connected thereto, so that if the shaft is rotated the spool will likewise be turned. Loosely mounted upon sta'ntly with the gear-segment 15, soas to be actuated thereby. The hub of this pinion is formed with clutch-teeth, which mesh with similar teeth formed on a collar 28"., which is feathered upon the shaft 27. The clutchteeth are normally held in mesh by an angular sprin 28 mounted on the casing and engaging t e collar 28*. As the segment 15 moves up the shaft 27 is rotated to turn the roller 11; but when the segment is released and drops by gravity or a suitable spring the pinion 28 simply rotates freely, its clutchteeth passing over the clutch-teeth of. the

the tension of its s rin 28'. All back- 'ward movement of file s aft 27 is prevent- .ed by a suitable pawl 27", which en ages a pinion 27, fast to said shaft, as best s own in Fig. 3. If the shaft 27 continues to rotate after the slack in the paper strip is taken up, the shaft will simply turn within the roll or sleeve in such furthermovement. Thus I provide for any difference in-the winding up of the feed-strip due to the increased size of the roll when the paper is wound thereon. Any suitable means may be em loyed to prevent the reverse movement of the feed-roll and the roll 11 during the return movement of the, segment 15. It will be understood from this description that any one or a number-'of the keys, or all, if desired, may upon 0 eration act as controlling devices for -the c utch and connect up the feed device for the "paper, and thus with the same power required to re ister or indicate in a'cash-registhe paper strip and its feed mechanism manent record, or both, in the machine. I In this machine I have shown only a part of the keys connected to operate the clutch- -coll ar 17, while other keys, which I shall'call the regular keys, are not so connected and when operated will not ordinarily cause the feeding of the paper strip. These regular keys, one of which is shown at X, Fig. 2, are unprovided with the arm 22, and thus will not when operated move the universal bar 21 and cause the cam 19 to operate the clutch.

machine upon the roll 11. If any other key of the machine is operatednot adapted tothe shaft 27 is apinion 28, which meshes concollar 28 by forcing the latter back against 5 ter and by t e same means simply addinIg on enabled to have a salesmans record or a per- Lil semi

is before stated, the keys are mounted mid' This movr-urent releases the segment 15, and i the same drops by gravity. or a suitable spring. Under certain conditions, however, it desiralide to have tlu ae regular keys also etlect the feeding of the paper strip in order that a special record may be made thereon relating to the operation of said key. It is also desirable to be able to vary the amount of feed according to the space requiredfor ma ing the desired record on the paper strip. i have therefore provided my machine with a second clutch under the control of the operator and which may be actuated to effect a coupling between the shaft C'and the gearsegment 15. This secondclutch also I have shown provided with means for giving various lengths of feed to the paper strip under the control of the operator, so that he may for a few items feed forward but a short length of strip and for a longer list feed forward a longer strip of paper. Secured to the shaft C beside the gear-segment is an arm 30, having a pawl 31 at the end. Secured to the gear-segment in the path of the pawl is a CUTJCtl ratchet-bar 32. On the pawl 31 is a laterally-eatending pin 33, which extends over a controlling-cam 34, which is secured to an arm 35 on the sleeve 36 around the shaft 1, Figs' H, 1-, and This sleeve extends to the outside of the machine. Near the outer end of this sleeve is secured "the plate 38. (Shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 6.) Thisplate 38 is norn'ially held in its upper position'by means of a pin 39, Fig. 6, so that the second clutch referred to is inoperative. If it is desired to use the second clutch, the pin 39 is removed from its upper position and may be inserted into either one of the apertures 40 or ll in the =ase'of the machine, whlch will determine the amount the pl ateSS will drop.

per trip, the parts being held in this position bv the tension of the springi5, surrounding the shaft 43. Now as the operator desires to feed forward: the paper strip by one of the regular keys be first moves the guard arm 44 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. This rocks the finger 42 from beneath the plate 88 and allows that plate to drop until it strikes the pin 39. The-plate dropping behind the finger 42 holds that-finger in, and thus holds the guard-arm 44 in its upper position. upon the paper strip and then depresses the proper key or keys and operates the registering device. When the plate 38 drops from its upper to its lower position, it will carry with it the sleeve'36, the arm 35, and the controlling-cam-34, moving those parts into the position shown in Fig. 4. ling-cam is so shaped in relation to the ratchet 32 that when it is in its upper position (shown in Fig. 5) the pin 33, ridingover the surface thereof, will keep the pawl 31 from engagement with the ratchet-bar 32; but when the controlling-cam is in its lower position, as shown in Fig. 4, the spring-pawl will engage into the ratchet-bar and carry that bar with it in its motion. The pawl will also carry the controlling-cam by means of the hook 49 at the end thereof. Therefore when the operator moves the register-actuating device (in this case the cover of the till) he will turn the shaft C and likewise move the arm 30, which is secured thereto and through the pawl 31, and the ratchet-bar 32, which jis secured tothe gear-segment 15, just de, scribed, will operate the paper-feed. hen the arm 30 'moves back to. its normal lower position, the segment 15 falls back to normal position by gravity or is drawn back by a suitable spring, as before described. It is evident Without further description if the pin 39 is in the aperture 10 that the pawl 31 will not engage with the ratchet-bar until after it has traveled a part of its distance, and therefore that the paper will be fed but a short distance. .If the pin 39 is in the aperture 41, then the pawl will engage with the ratchetbar at the beginning of its movement andthe paper will be fed its full amount each operation. 38 is lifted thereby to its upper position the finger 42, actuated by the spring 45, will again pass under the plate 38 and hold it in its upper position, with the second clutch out of its operative'position, so that the device will be operated only by its special keys.

By the means described it will be evident that the operator may at will have the paper fed forward only upon the operation of a special key or upon the operation of any of the regular keys and thatthis paper-feed may be a long feed or a short feed, as desired.

It is sometimes desirable to havethe feeding of the'paper strip effected upon each operation of the regular keys independent of the operation of the guard-arnr 44. I have therefore provided means forlocking said guard-arm and its finger 42 so that the latter will be out of the path of the plate 38. In the drawings I have shown for this purpose a sliding bar 46, adapted when The operator'then writes the items The control- As the shaft Cis turned and the plate -may at his option prevent the feeding of the strip by placing the pin 39 in the upper aperture therefor, or, third, he may place the said pin in the aperture 30 and obtain a short feed of the strip, dependent on the movement of the guard-arm 44, or, fourth, he may place the pin in the aperture 41 and obtain a longer feed of said strip, dependent on the same condition, or,-fifth, he may move the bar 46 into engagement with the-lug47 and cause the long or short feed of the strip independent of the movement of the guard. o

I have thus provided for the various conditions which arise in the special use of the machine Without losing the advantage of having the feeding of the strip in the ordinary operation of the machine beyond the control 0 the salesman and serving as. a check upon any. fraudulent transaction.

What I. claim as my invention is V 1. In acash-register, the combination with a series of keys arranged to set parts for indieating and accounting, and an operating mechanism cooperating With said keys for-ef fecting the indicating and accounting, of

" paper-feeding devices, and means controlled by a number of said keys for connecting the feeding devices for movement by the operating mechanism.

2. In a cash-register, the combination with a series of keys arranged to set parts for indicating and accounting, and an operating mechanism therefor, of paper-fe'edin devices, means controlled by a number 0 said keys for connecting the feeding devices for movement by the operating mechanism and for automatically disconnecting the same after each operation.

3. In a cash-register, the combination with a series of keys arranged to set parts for indicating and accounting, and an operatin mechanism for effecting the indicating an accounting, of autographic strip-feeding devices, and means operated by a number of said keys and ada ted to couple said feeding devices to the sai operating mechanism.

4. In a cash-register, the combination with aseries of keys and a registering mechanism,

of a movable member having auniformmovement at each operation of the machine and operable as an operative accompaniment to the registering function of the .ma-

chine, a paper-feeding device, and means controlled by a number of said keys for'con' V satssi tween the movable member and the feeding device, and means for automatically restoring the connecting means to its normal position after displacement therefrom.

6. The combination with a series of keys, of strip-feeding devices, and mechanism intermediate the keys and feeding devices and adjustable at will to control the feed from only certain of said keys or from any one of the same.

7. A cash-register including a series of keys, a register-actuating mechanism, an autographic device, a feeding device therefor,

' means operated by a number of said keys and adapted to couple the feeding devices to the register-actuating mechanism and to automatically uncouple the devices at the com pletion of the operation.

8. A cash-register including a series of controlling-keys, a register actuating device common to all of said keys, a paper-feeding device, and means actuated by certain of said keys for coupling the paper-feeding device to the register-actuating device.

9. In a cash-register the combination with a series of keys, of an actuating mechanism, an autographic device, a feeding device intermediate the autographic device and the actuating mechanism and means for congelling the feeding device actuated by the eys..

10. In a cash-register, the combination with a series of controlling-keys cooperating with a common operating mechanism, indicator mechanism controlled by said keys, and a paper-feeding device; of a coupling member between the operating mechanism and the paper-feeding device; and means operated by only a certain number of said keys for eon trolling the operation of the paper-feeding device when such keys are utilized in coopanism to the aper-feeding device.

12. In a cas -register the combination with a series ofamount-keys, of a series of special keys, an operating mechanism, a paper-feeding device, means for normally causing the paper-feeding device to move with the operating mechanism only when a special key cancer is o erated, and means for moving the paperfee( ing mechanism at will by the operating mechanism when only an amount-key is operated.

13. In a cash-register the combination with a series of amount-keys, of a series of special keys, an operating mechanism, a pa er-feeding device, means for causing said evice to be actuated by the operating mechanism only when. a special key is operated, and a special autographic key which when operated controls the feed of the paper irrespective of the operation of either special or amount keys.

14. A cash-register including a series of keys, a register-operating member common to all of said keys, a paper-feeding device, means actuated by certain of said keys for coupling the paper-feeding device to the operating member, and independent means for coimling the feeding device to the operating member atwill.

15. In a cash-register the combination with a series of amount-keys, of a series-of special keys, an operating mechanism, a paper-feeding device, means actuated by the special keys for establishing the connection between amount keys.

the operating mechanism and the pap er-feeding devices, and means for automatically disestablishing this connect-ion at.the end of each operation of the machine.

16. A cash-register including a series of keys, a register-operating member common to all of said keys, a paper-feeding device, means for connecting the paper-feeding device to the operating member arranged to automatically disconnect it after each operation, and means for preventing the automatic disconnection when desired.

17. In a cash-register the combination with a series of controlling-keys, of an operating mechanism, an autographic device, means for cou ling said device to the operating mechanism when certain'of said keys are operated, and means for coupling the autographic device to the operating mechanism independently of the aforesaid means.

18. In a cash-register the combination with a series of special keys and a series of amountkeys, of an autographic device arranged to be operated only when the special keys are actuated and adjusting means for controlling the autograph so that it will be actuated irrespective of the operation of the special or 19. In a cash-register the combination with a series of amount-keys and a series of special keys, of an autographic device arranged to be actuated when the special keys are operated, means for adjusting said autograph so that it will be operated when any keys are operated said means being automatically returned to its normal position at each operation of the machine,,andmeans for locking said adjusting means in its set position.

20. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of keys having a common actuating device, of feed devices for a paper strip, a connection between said common actuating device and said feed devices, a clutchin said connection, and an independent key for operating said clutch.

graphic deviceya coupling between the rockshaft and autographic device-and means actuated by the keys for conlrolling the couplin I 2 4. In a cash-register the combination with a series of controlling-keys, of an operating mechanism including a lever and a rock-shaft, an autographic device having a rotary feedroller and means intermediate the rock-shaft and rotary feed-rol1er controlled by the keys and arranged to convert the oscillating movement of the shaft into a rotary movement of the roller.

25. In a cash-register the'combination with a series of keys, of an operating mechanism, an autographic device arranged to be actuated by the operating mechanism and means for predetermining the length of paper to be fed by the autographic device.

26. In a cash -register, the combination and a rock-shaft connected thereto, an autowith a feeding mechanism including a feedpawl for feeding a paper strip, and an operating mechanism for actuating said pawl; of manipulative means for control-ling the extent of feeding effectiveness of said pawl.

27. In a cash-register, the combination with a feeding mechanism including a feedpawl for feeding a paper strip, and an operating mechanism for actuating said pawl; of manipulative means for controlling the extent. of feedin effectiveness of said pawl; and means for blocking the pawl at a certain point in its travel to vary the normal feeding .eXtent of the paper.

28. A caslnregister including a series of keys, a register-operating member common to all of said keys, a paper-feeding device, means actuated by said keys for coupling the paper feeding device to the operating member, independent means for coupling the feedcatch forconnecting the actuating device to the feed devices, and a setting device for varying the point in the movement of the actuating device at which it is connected to the feed devices.

31. In a cash-register, a paper-feed device, a register-actuating device, a clutch for connecting the register-actuating device to the paper-feed, and a setting device for controlling the point of connection of the clutch.

32. In a cash-register, the combination of the register-actuating device, feed devices for .2 5 a paper strip actuated by the re gister-actuating device, a clutch between said register-actuating device and the paper-feed devices,

and means for setting the coupling-point of the clutch at different points to effect differ- 0 ent lengths of feed of th paper.

33. The combination With a cash-register.

having an autographic paper strip,.feed devices for the paper strip, means for actuating said feed devices upon the operation of 5, the cash-register, a clutch to control the connection to the feed devices, and a guard extending over the autographic strip controlling said clutch.

34. In a cash-register having an auto- 40 graphic paper strip, feed devices for the strip, an actuating-shaft from the cashregister, a clutch thereon to connect said actuating devices to the paper-feed devices, the guard 44 extending over the paper strip and means for 45 actuating said clutch upon the actuation of said arm. i

35. In a cash-register, he combination of the registereactuating devices comprising a shaft C, paper-feed devices for the strip, an

actuating device therefor, a clutch to connect 5:: the'shaft to said actuating device comprising the plate 38, the arm 44 having a finger 42 on which the plate 38 is supported, and means for connecting plate 38 to the paper-feeding devices substantially as described.

36. In a cash-register, the combination with the register-actuating device, the shaft C operated thereby, the gear-segment 15 on said sliaft, paper -feed devices actuated thereby, the controlling-cam 34 beside the gear-segment, the arm 30 carried by the shaft (1, the pawl carried by the arm and engaging upon the cam, a ratchet-bar on the gear-segment in the path of the pawl, and means for controlling the position of the cam.

37. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of register-controlling keys, of a till or cover forming an actuating device for the series, feed devices for a paper strip, and a clutch connection from said till or cover to said feeding devices for operating the same.

38. In a cashregister, the combination with a cash-safe having a movable member, of a paper-feeding device; connecting means between said movable cash-safe member and said feeding device; a clutch in said connecting means; and manipulative means controlling said clutch.

39. In a cash-register, the combination of feed devices for an autographic strip and a record-strip, means for actuating said feed devices, a winding-roll for the record-strip actuated upon the operation of the feed (L vices, and a friction connection in said winding-roll for the purpose described.

40. In a cash-register, the combination of feed devices for both an autographic and record strip, a winding-roll for the recordstrip, a gear-se mentfor operating the feed devices, and the winding-roll, and a vfriction connection between said Winding-roll and the paper strip for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS ()SBORN.

Witnesses:

JAMES WHITTEMORE, H. 0. SMITH. 

